Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune praised the progress made by the national military industry as the machine gun manufactured entirely in the country has been presented at the Algiers International Trade Fair.
According to the president, this achievement made by country's military-industrial complex "is a source of pride for Algeria and the People's National Army".
"If only the chouhadas who started the Revolution with shotguns could see the level reached by the worthy heir of the National Liberation Army", he quipped, referring to the fighters of the Algerian War.
Although Algeria has reportedly seen its military spending decrease by 3.6% in 2022, the African nation nevertheless continues to modernize its armed forces. The country is looking to develop its military industry in addition to moving forward on the issue of artificial intelligence or the use of drones, as Mokhtar Said Mediouni, a former colonel in the Algerian air force, recently explained to Sputnik.
Algiera is also continuing on its military collaboration with Moscow. On June 15, the two countries signed a declaration on an in-depth strategic partnership during Tebboune's visit to Russia. This declaration is projected to facilitate technology transfers and the establishment of joint ventures.
In 2022, Russia and Algeria also signed a vast arms contract, as recently revealed by Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigou.
In September, US Senator Marco Rubio even called for sanctions against Algiers for buying weapons from Moscow.